The author, Father Joseph Bordes was born in the upper valley of Bareges in 1924. It was as a child that he first heard the wonderful story of Lourdes, told him in his own native language, that of Bernadette herself, that spoken to Bernadette by our Lady. When ordained a priest in the diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes, he often followed the pilgrim's path. Firstly as a young priest in Tarbes. Then as Chaplain to the parachute regiment from 1957-1963. He was active in the foundation of the International Military Pilgrimage, a wonderful witness of peace and reconciliation.

As Parish Priest of Lourdes, the parish of Bernadette and Peyramale, he has seen, in his 14 years in this office, the town of Lourdes grow and develop to embrace the whole world. Rector of the Shrine from 1977 to 1993, he still today marvels at the rediscovery of the gospels by those who place their footsteps in the footsteps of Bernadette.